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What Is Toxic Black Mold? |
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Stachybotrys Chartarum - Toxic Mold
Toxic molds have been causing serious health conditions in humans for hundreds of years. These dangerous types of mold can exist in damp environments in our home or workplace without us ever knowing it. In the last ten years, there have been many reports of toxic molds causing serious and even fatal consequences for infants and sensitized individuals. A handful of US homeowners have burned down their homes, and everything in them, because they felt it was the only way to eradicate toxic mold from their surroundings. Juries have awarded huge sums of money to homeowners who initiated lawsuits against their insurance companies (for not paying for moisture-related repairs in time to prevent severe problems) and home builders (for shoddy workmanship that resulted in house-wide mold). What is Mold? Molds are fungi that reproduce by releasing tiny spores into the air. Spores lucky enough to land on moist objects may begin to grow. There are thousands of different types of mold and we encounter many of them every day, inside and out. What is Toxic Mold? Toxic mold is a type of mold that produces hazardous byproducts, called mycotoxins. While individuals with asthma and other respiratory problems may have reactions to many types of mold, it's thought that mycotoxins are more likely to trigger health problems in even healthy individuals. These toxins are believed to be linked to memory loss and to severe lung problems in infants and the elderly. Floating particles of mold are invisible to the naked eye, so it's impossible to see where they might have landed unless they begin to grow. Loose particles that accumulate on items within a house are easily inhaled and can be a constant irritation to the people and pets who live there. The toxic mold we hear most about is Stachybotrys chartarum (or Stachybotrys atra). This slimy, greenish-black mold grows on moisture-laden materials that contain cellulose, such as wood, paper, drywall, and other similar products. It does not grow on tile or cement. |
